02/12/2026
Hayrides.
In small-town America, such leisurely pursuits once provided the perfect backdrop for young love.
A lifetime ago, a young and beautiful Gloria (née B.) sat next to her date. She was bundled up
against the cold, as it was a crisp autumn night.
Gloria couldn’t help but gawk at Don S., the handsome football player seated across the way with his girlfriend.
What Gloria didn’t realize at the time is that Don had noticed her, too.
Just a year apart in school, they would soon experience the butterflies of chance meetings in the hallways. Extracurriculars found them searching for each other in crowds. The fair with its lit midway, bustling atmosphere, and many activities, promised the two a week of meet-ups, as both were active members of 4-H.
Like so many couples whose love story spans a lifetime, Don and Gloria enjoy revisiting the halcyon days of their relationship. They smile and sigh as they speak of the once-in-a-lifetime euphoria of first love.
Two years after that hayride, life came full circle.
Don proposed to Gloria on another hayride.
As a child Gloria could never have imagined such a fairytale for herself.
As one of three sisters born to Dick and Marilyn B., Gloria experienced unique challenges at a young age. Her parents were concerned when their young daughter failed to meet developmental milestones like sitting up, crawling, and walking. Numerous doctor visits led to even more trips to Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan . For several years Gloria’s young life was interrupted by long hospital stays and nonstop testing.
Of those formative years she credits Mrs. Robertson, a third grade teacher, for helping her catch up with schoolwork -and for generously granting her compassion and encouragement. Still building her strength, Gloria could not participate in playground activities or gym classes. Sometimes, she felt the sting of her classmates’ teasing.
Resiliency is a key attribute Gloria inherited from her parents. Together they would learn how to navigate the daunting reality of her autoimmune disorder.
At a time when little was known about equestrian therapy , Dick made an intuitive decision about how he could help his daughter build core strength. He purchased Lady, a quarter horse that he hoped would not only provide Gloria physical therapy -but would teach also teach her responsibility. Early on Gloria was tasked with watering, feeding, and grooming her beloved companion.
Gloria and Lady shared myriad experiences and earned multiple ribbons at horse shows and fairs. The beloved quarter horse would spark Gloria’s lifelong love of animals, 4-H, and showmanship.
Don grew to love horses, too. He even got his own horse so he and Gloria could ride together.
Don and Gloria married at St. Anthony’s Church in their hometown of Columbus Grove, Ohio, one month after she graduated high school.
The two felt prepared and excited for all the adventures ahead.
As Don worked and attended trade school, Gloria made their modest mobile home cozy and welcoming. They credit both sets of parents for helping them in their early years as a married couple. Ultimately they bought an renovated their first home there.
With the Vietnam War and the draft driving difficult decisions, Don opted to join the National Guard.
Gloria recalls a memorable trip to see him at Ft. Polk in Louisiana with their three-month-old daughter riding shotgun.
They would eventually be blessed with another daughter and a son.
Those years were both difficult and joyful. The couple worked together to make a good life for themselves and their family. They were a team, determined to keep drama out of their relationship, and committed to being each other’s person.
Luckily both welcomed all the spur-of-the-moment changes that Don’s job as a lumberyard manager and his military service offered.
An added perk of his 15 years in the National Guard was that the family traveled and camped wherever Don trained. Their vacations would be extended once he joined them.
Soon enough they relocated to Lafayette, Indiana and then, Norwalk, Ohio and Jamesville, Wisconsin .
In retrospect they enjoyed the many friendships they made. The family enjoyed opportunities unique to each city and school district. For a while Don took a side job overseeing a nearby roller rink. Gloria helped Don out -and served up snacks at the concession stand. In the meantime, their children joyfully skated.
Such shared family experiences remain at the core of who they are. A newspaper article is testament to this, as it features all generations holding flowers and awards. Together they belonged to a garden club, and Don and Gloria and children, in-laws, and grandchildren enjoyed showing off their awards.
4-H delivered even more togetherness, as both Don and Gloria acted as advisors.
Gloria became knowledgeable about rabbit farming and received an award for her forty years as an advisor.
Life would once again come full circle when Don was offered a job back home. Gloria took the opportunity to go back to college and earn a degree in social work. She, her daughter-in-law, and a daughter attended college together. Gloria would spend the next twenty years managing group homes for the disabled.
The bad and the good coexisted. Don survived a harrowing tractor accident. Gloria enjoyed a bit of celebrity when she appeared on Cash Explosion and won money.
Together they took an unforgettable cruise to celebrate a milestone anniversary.
Ultimately children left the nest and married. Soon grandchildren arrived -and life kept gifting the couple new memories.
Ultimately, Gloria and Don faced the inevitable progression of her disease.
As she had as a child, Gloria channeled the pragmatism and determination that helped get her through.
Together Don and Gloria agreed that home was wherever they could be together.
Here at The Meadows, she enjoys daily visits from Don.
The two lean in, laugh, share talk of life and family, and attend activities and performances that are offered. There is a revolving door of family that makes her time here beautiful. This Christmas an entire meeting room here was filled to overflowing with family.
Gloria also loves to go on outings to restaurants-and is always one of the first people to sign up for trips.
Life has changed for this married couple of nearly fifty-five years.
They are quick to offer that they are blessed and happy.
When asked for one key piece of advice for couples just beginning their journey, Gloria smiles. With her trademark wit she shares advice and delivers a great story.
“Forget the stuff.”
“It’ll just accumulate, follow you wherever you go -and become a nuisance.”
To that she adds a favorite from her repertoire of favorite memories. Once, after one of their moves for Don’s job, they made a surprising discovery. When opening the many boxes packed and loaded by their moving company, the two were dumbfounded to open a pungent mystery box.
Their kitchen garbage from their former residence had been wrapped, boxed, and forwarded, banana peels and all.
Such stories and humor are as much a part of their story as is their love.
That handsome football player and the pretty girl who rode a horse still exist.
Their love has only deepened over time.
